THINGS TO DO, SHOWS TO SEE

Wednesday

Jul 9, 2014 at 12:01 AM

KIDS RULE IS THEME OF JULY 10 AHA! NIGHT

DEB ALCAIDINHO

KIDS RULE IS THEME OF JULY 10 AHA! NIGHT

KIDS RULE on Thursday, July 10 in downtown New Bedford! That's the theme of the July AHA! Night, when the streets will be jam-packed from 5 to 9 p.m. with summer sounds, hands on activities for the kid in all of us, Carabiner's Climbing Wall, a Solstice skate jam, plus unique shopping & good food at our many boutique stores and eateries! This month's sponsors are Southcoast Health System and the Summer Fund of the United Way of Greater New Bedford.

All activities are free and open to the public. Year-round programming is funded in part by the Mass Cultural Council's John and Abigail Adams Arts Program, The Island Foundation, The City of New Bedford, the AHA! partners, individual supporters and in-kind marketing support from the Standard-Times and WBSM. AHA! is a program fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Mass. For more information call (508) 996-8253 x205

Set your sails for Taste of the Town to be held at Mattapoisett's waterfront with its Instagram-worthy sunsets. Meet and mingle with folks from near and far at the 11th annual Taste of the Town party sponsored by the Mattapoisett Women's Club on Tuesday, July 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Shipyard Park. This highly popular food extravaganza features many diverse dining establishments offering their signature dishes served up by friendly waiters. Get your fill from a panoply of food choices: lobster rolls, chowder, shrimp cocktail, stone cold soup, General Gao's chicken and more.

Mattapoisett's classic harbor is best appreciated with deep intakes of fresh salt air and an ear tuned to the music of the lively and entertaining Showstoppers.

All proceeds benefit the Mattapoisett Women's Club Scholarship Fund and other non-profit agencies in the Greater New Bedford Community.

Cost depends on food item, 20 tickets for $10. This is a rain or shine event.

Stone Barn Farm at Mass Audubon's Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is hosting Open Hearts/Open Skies July 11 through 13, a weekend-long wellness retreat that blends yoga, nature, music, and peace. Allens Pond is partnering with a premier South Coast yoga center, Yoga on Union, whose instructors will challenge adult participants of all ability levels to expand their practice and awareness, with the goal of achieving a more meaningful and memorable experience.

Yoga on Union founder Juliet Loranger is a 200-hour-certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher whose style of teaching incorporates a joyous celebration while encouraging a dedicated yoga practice. She has studied intensively with many respected instructors.

In addition to yoga, weekend activities will include guided walks throughout the seaside wildlife sanctuary and fantastic, locally sourced meals. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy the entire weekend (and bring their own camping gear to stay on-site) or register for individual days.

Open Hearts/Open Skies commences Friday evening, July 11, with a welcome reception and live music, which will flow into a welcoming yoga practice. Saturday's program features early practice and afternoon workshop, framed by nature walks that reveal the sanctuary.

On Sunday, July 13, a leisurely hike to the Stone Barn will be followed by a final yoga session and a farewell midday meal.

For more information or to register online, visit www.massaudubon.org/allenspond, www.yogaonunion.com or email allenspond@massaudubon.org, or call Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary at (508) 636-2437.

Summers on the Southcoast continue to heat up as the Zeiterion announces three more shows in their 2014 Summer Sizzle lineup.

Next up for the heat wave is the legendary 80's rock group Night Ranger on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. Fan-favorite series Doo Wop 10 will return on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro will bring his unique, sunny sounds to the Z on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now! Purchases can be made online at www.zeiterion.org, by phone by calling (508) 994-2900 or in person at their box office at 684 Purchase St., downtown New Bedford.